Wednesday, 9 December 2009

The surreal life of a fashion architect

These past few months, I have met several individuals in real life, who just knew me through this blog before, and who casually asked me what I do. And when I answered back that I am, in fact, an architect, they replied with a surprised face and the phrase "reaaaaaally? I thought that was just your blog title".

So yes, I am an architect.

And lately, I have even started working as one. To be more precise, I am currently involved in the process of designing a retail store for a Greek women's clothing brand, in downtown Athens. And this is where the surreal part begins. Because, how else would you describe it if your boss wanted you, instead of doing paperwork or the coffee run, to go into the Gucci store in Kolonaki first thing in the morning and measure the fitting room, in order to clarify how big a luxury fitting room is supposed to be? And of course, in order to get inside that fitting room, you would have to try on some piece of clothing, namely, a sequined cocktail dress, worth €3.995?Should I say that I love my job? Well, I would, if I didn't have to spend the following 8 hours standing on my feet, furiously sketching the same stairway over and over again in order to get it just right, while covered in drywall dust. But still, I have a pretty cool job.

FYI, the dress, which according to the Gucci salesgirl is the only one of its kind in Greece, is now 50% off. Just so you know if you have a nice party to go, nothing to wear and two grand lying around...